Signal apparatus.



E. H. SCHRAGA.

SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION mm JUNEJQ. 1911.

1,277,138. PatentedAu 2? ,191s.

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E. H. SCHRAGA.

SIGN/H; APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 19. I917.

Patented Aug. 27, 1918.

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ERNEST H. SCI-IRAGA, OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMATICEXPLODE COMPANY, OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

SIGNAL ArrAnA'rUs.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug. 27, 1918.

Application filed June 19, 1917. Serial No. 175,637.

provements in signal apparatus embodying as an essential feature of itsconstruction the exploder device which 1s disclosed in my copend1ngapphcatlon, filed December 27th, 1915, Serial No. 68,939, of whichthisis a continuation in part.

The invention consists primarily of a suitable source of supply,preferably generative in character, of a gas or similar means which isintroduced into a compartment or chamber where it becomes explosive, asfor example, with admixture with air, when subjected to ignition.

The following are among the numerous objects of my invention: 7

First, to produce an automatic, continuously operative signal of eitheran audible or visible nature, or both, useful in producing an alarm orwarning and adapted for frightening wild animals from camps or otherplaces, as a guide to navigation, as

a distress signal or such other adaptations as may be comprehendedwithin the scope of its utility;

Second, to produce an apparatus in which explosions will occurperiodically at suitable intervals without the use of complicatedmechanism or timing devices;

Third, to provide for the support of the v device in such a manner as totake advantage of the force of the explosions for the purpose ofagitating a visible signal; alsoto effect displacement of the residue ofthe gas producing products; and,

Fourth, to provide for the rendering inoperative of the explodingfunction so as to enable the ignition means to be. employed as anilluminating apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of the in vention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification andin which like reference characters are employed to designate like partsthroughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus constructed in accordancewith this invention, I

Fig. 2 is a similar View looking at the device from a slightly differentangle,

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken about -on the plane indicatedby the line 33 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional View on the line 4-% of Fig. 2, i

Fig. 5-isa detail sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 6, and, Y

Fig. 6 is a sectional View on the line 66 of Fig. 4. i I

Referring to the drawings, and specifically describing this invention,it will be noted that the apparatus consists of thefollowing mainelements; the generator A, the exploder device B, the ignition means C,and a flag signal D, each of which will now be more specifically setforth,

The generator A is of a conventional type, by means of which a suitablegas is prosource of supply of gas forthe exploder device B. As iscustomary, the generator comprises the water compartment 1 from whichthe contents drop through the basket support 2 containing carbid,designated 3*, un

der the control of the valve 4 Beneath the basket 2 is a suitablechamber 5' to receive the tailings or the residue from the carbid as thegeneration of the gas takes place.

The gas from the generator A passes to the exploder device B by way ofthe conduit 6 which as will be observed in Fig. 3,

- includes a nozzle or burner 7 feeding the gas into the lower portionof theexplosion chamber 8 of the exploder device. This conduit 6 issuitably provided'with an air intake 9, opening adjacent to the nozzle 7and the flow of the gas from this nozzle acts as an injector to draw aproper supply of air through the intake 9 into the explosion chamber foradmixture with the gas to produce an explosive mixture. At one side andat the lower portion of the-chambers is provided an opening 10, which isnormally a closed by a gate or closure member 11, pivotally mounted forgravitative action in a manner to be more clearly described as thisproceeds. Surrounding the inlet of the conduit 6 and the tip of thenozzle 7 is a short, 7

nipple or pipe 12, the latter being removably disposed in its positionprojecting a substantial distance into the explosion chamber 8. It willbe apparent that the gas flowing into the chamber will pass through thispipe to the upper portion of the chamber from which it is allowed tofeed very gradu ally through a discharge outlet or bleed passage 13.This bleed passage cooperates with the ignition means C and extendsthrough an opening 14: in the side wall of a hood or housing 15,surrounding the ignition member or burner 16 and having a glass front torender the light visible. The passage is formed with a shield 17 whichprevents the gas escaping about the opening 1 1 and said passage,furthermore, is provided with a relatively small outlet 18 directing thegas discharged from the explosion chamber into the pocket 19 in the sidewall of the hood 15, as shown most clearly in Fig. (3. This pocketsurrounds the upper portion of the opening 1a and is so'constructed asto retain therein a suitable supply of the gas, but is also providedwith an escape outlet 20, permitting a certain amount of the gas to passinto the atmosphere. The function of this pocket is very important inthat it effectively con trols the flow of the gas with relation to theignition means. In other words, it prevents the gas from passing fromthe chamber S into the hood 15 and there accumulating until it becomesof a sufficient quantity and of proper explosive characteristics to besubject to explosion, the result of which would be disastrous to theignition means. The pocket retaining a small supply of the gas exposesthis supply to ignition by the burner when the gas is of a properquality to be fired, but permits a'slight escape into the atmospherethrough the outlet 20 until, such explosive condition is present. Theburner 16 receives its supply of gas from the generator A through theconduit 21, and this gas, of course, is supplied under natural pressure,such as is produced by. a generator of this type. No pilot-lighting ofthe gas takes place by virtue of the said pocket.

The operation of the invention as hereinbefore described will be clear.The gas generation A having been started by the regulationof thewaterfeed valve, thegas pa sscs into the explosion chamber andlikewise to theburner 16, which is lighted and allowed to remain burning. Asasuflicient'quantity of the gas and air is received in the chamber, andthe feed thereof to the ignition means through the conduit 13 takesplace, the gas is touched-off, and an explosion takes place in saidchamber, the pressure of which is relieved by the automatic opening ofthe gate 11. Immediately the gate falls back to its normal position andthe is again fed into the explosion chamber, the actionbeing continuous,sothat there willbe a periodic explosion continuously operative so longas the generation of the gas is carried on. As has been said inreferring to the pocket 19,

the gas at the opening 18 is prevented from ignlting or pilot-lighting,and the same function is performed by the nipple or pipe 12, whichsurrounds the nozzle 7. This protective element 12 referred to, isimportant because it prevents the exploder device from becominginoperative, and of course, the primary function of the apparatus wouldbe defeated by any such action. The member 12, however, is subject todisplacement at will so that the gas flowing into the chamber at thenozzle 7 may be lighted, and this will render the exploder inoperativewhile the apparatus still remains useful as an illuminating device orlantern per se inasmuch as the burner 16 would afiord a suitable light.

The exploder device B is detachably connected to the generator A and toa suitable hanger 22, a winged nut 23 being employed at the upperportion of the chamber 8, for this purpose. The apparatus is primarilydesigned to be suspended by a spring 24, and a suitable number of rings25. pose of this spring suspension will now be described. Each time anexplosion takes place, as referred to above, the apparatus isaccordingly jarred and such action will cause the device to vibrate uponits support, and obviously the light or ignition element C will haveimparted to it motion so as to make more effective its signalingfunction. Therefore, not only do we have an audible signal as isafforded by the intermittent or periodic explosion, but also a visiblesignal as is provided by the constantly burning light, the sounds of theexplosions attracting attention to the light.

In addition to this type of visible signal, I preferably attach to thesupporting means, the flag-like signal D, and this also is caused to bewaved incident to the explosions taking place in the explosion chamber8. It may, therefore, be stated that the apparatus as a unit performs atriple function, that of a sound signal, secondly, a light signal, andlastly, a waving visible signal.

It will be apparent from this summary of its operation that the devicewill very read-' ily carry out the objects initially set forth in thisdescription, but I do not wish to be confined to the particular purposesherein mentioned, having in view the latitude of utility of such anapparatus.

It may be further stated that the arrangement of the hood 15 for theignition means is also purposeful. as this member acts as a.weather-vane, so that the apparatus is maintained with the light in anout-of-thewind position by the action of the breezes upon theparticularly shaped hood. It prevents any likelihood of the light beingblown out by the wind, and rendering the apparatus inoperative, and inaddition the constant swinging of the device with the wind tends todisclose the signal in all directions and The purmakes the functions ofthe device more effective.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is: V

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination With a visiblesignal and support therefor, of means automatically operableperiodically to produce movement of the signal on its support.

2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a lightsignal and support therefor, of explosion means mounted thereon, woperable intermittently to produce an audible signal, said light beingcaused to move on its support by operation of the explosion means.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a flag-likesignal and support therefor, of agitating means operable automaticallyat intervals to produce agitation of the signal aforesaid.

4:. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with aflag-like signal and support therefor, of a sound producing signalcarried by the support, the operation of the sound signal producing thesignal operation of the flag signal.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a flag-likesignal and support therefor, of a sound producing signal, and means foroperating said sound signal to thereby produce movement of the flag-likesignal on its support as a result of the sound ing of the sound signal.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a flag-likesignal and support therefor, of a sound producing signal comprising anexplosion device, and ignition means cooperating with the latter forperiodically causing the explosion, said fiag-like signal being agitatedas a result of the effect of the explosion. r

7 In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a flag-likesignal, a sound producing signal and a light signal, of a support commonto said signals, said flag and light signals being operable on saidsupport as a result of the effect of the operation of the sound signal.

S. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a flag-likesignal, a sound producing signal and a light signal, of a swingingsupport for said signals permitting their free agitative movement, saidsignals being agitated as a result of the operation of one of saidsignals.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination with a signalincluding a visible signal and explosion means operable periodically, ofspring suspension means for said signal permitting free up-and-downmovement of the signal, and oscillatory movement about its point ofsuspension as a result of the effect of the explosion.

10. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a visible signal, of a support therefor permittingmovement of the signal on its support, and protective means for saidsignal for causing the same to assume an out-of-the-Wind position.

11. In a device of the class described, the

tuting a Weather vanefor maintaining the light in an outof-thewindposition.

13 111 a device of the class described, the combination with a signalcomprising a continuously burning light, of an explosion chamberassociated therewlth, means for supplying an explosive medium to saidchamber, supporting means for said signal, and means for maintaining thesignal in a position protecting the light from the wind.

14:. In a device of the class described, the combination with a signal,a source of fuel supply for said signal comprising a container forholding the fuel, and suspension means for said signal, of means foragitating the signal to cause the residue from the fuel to be displacedduring operation of the signal. I

15. Ina device of the class described, the combination of a signal, asource of fuel supply forsaid signal comprising a gas generator, anexploder device communicating with the generator to receive itsexplosive medium, and yieldable suspension means for said generatoradapted to be agitated incident to explosion in the exploder to therebydislodge the tailings of the fuel in the generator.

16. In a signal device, the combination of a gas accumulating chamberhaving a discharge passage, ignition means adjacent to said passage, andmeans intermediate the passage and the ignition means for controllingthe discharge and ignition of the gas.

17 In a signal device, the combination of a gas accumulating chamberhaving a dis charge outlet constituting a touch-hole, ignition meanscontiguous to said touch-hole, and means cooperating with the latter toprevent pilot-lighting of said gas at the touch-hole.

18. In a signal device, the combination of *a gas accumulating chamber,ignition means adjacent to said chamber, a. protective hood for saidignition means, a gas feeding passage intermediate the chamber and thehood, and means cooperating with the outlet of Qepies of this patentmaybe obtained for said feeding passage for receiving a portion of theflow of the gas a-ndthus preventingaccumulatlon of the gas 111 the hood,

19. In a signal device, the combination of a gas accumulating chamberhaving a discharge passage, ignition means adjacent to said passage, anda pocket surrounding the discharge outlet whereby to control the feedingof the gas and the ignition thereof.

20. In a signal device, the combination of a gas accumulating chamber,ignition means adjacent to said chamber, a. protective hood for saidignition means, a gas feeding passage intermediate the chamberand thehood, and a pocket surrounding the outlet of the feeding passage toprotect against pilotlighting of the gas at the outlet and accumulationof the gas in the hood.

21. In a signal device, the combination of an explosion chamber having adischarge outlet, a source of supply of gas for said chamber, a burnerarranged adjacent to the outlet, and: a protecting covering for saidburner. having an opening therein to receive the gas from said outlet,said covering having a' pocket at said opening for preventing the flowof gas into the covering While exposing the gas for ignition by theburner.

22. In a signal device, the combination of an explosion chamber adaptedto receive an explosive mixture, a discharge passage therefor, a. burneradjacent to said passage, and a housing for said burner having anopening-located at the outlet of said passage, the Wall of said'housingat the opening having a pocket therein, said pocket having an escapeoutlet, the explosive mixmulated charge in said chamber, and meanssurrounding the gas inlet for preventing pilot-lighting at said inlet. 7

24; In a device of the cl-a-sscdescribed, the combination of anexplosion chamber, a source of supply of gas therefor including aninlet, ignition means for firing the accu-' mulated charge, and atubular member arranged at the inlet and projecting into the chamber soas to discharge the gas in the chamber at a point remote from the inletaforesaid, said tubular member preventing pilot-lighting of the gas atsaid inlet.

25. In a device of the class described, the combination of an explosionchamber adapted to receive a supply of explosive mixture, a burnerarranged exteriorly of the chamher, said chamber having a bleedpassageadjacent to the said burner, a gas nozzle entering said chamber, andmeans cooperating with the nozzle normally preventing pilotlighting ofthe explosive mixture at the nozzle, said means being removable topermit the explosive mixture to be lighted at the nozzle whereby torender the explosive action inoperative.

'In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ERNEST H. SCHRAGA.

five cents each," by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0,?

